Articulated structure

ABSTRACT

An articulated structure is disclosed. The structure includes a plurality of discrete, movably connected structure elements which are movable between an extended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced, substantially parallel wall surfaces having opertaivly upper and lower ends of a roof surface transverserly orientated relative to the wall surfaces, the structure elements defining the roof surface being connected to the operatively upper ends of the structure elements defining the wall surfaces; and a retracted configuration wherein the elements are nested in compacted configuration. The invention further discloses a structure member for an articulated structure.

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to an articulated structure and to astructure element for an articulated structure.

[0002] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is providedan articulated structure,which includes a plurality of discrete, movablyconnected structure elements which are movable between

[0003] an extended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced,substantially parallel wall surfaces having operatively upper and lowerends and a roof surface transversely orientated relative to the wallsurfaces, the structure elements each having a roof defining portion andtwo wall defining portions, the roof defining portion being connected tooperatively upper ends of the wall defining portions; and

[0004] a retracted configuration wherein the elements are nested in acompacted configuration.

[0005] The structure may include a first end and a second end, at leastthe first end having a closure member.

[0006] The closure member is preferably in the form of an articulatedroll door.

[0007] According to an alternative aspect to the invention, thestructure elements defining the wall surfaces include end structureelements and mid structure elements, the end structure elements at atleast the first or second ends of the structure being provided withpivot connections near their operatively lower ends, allowing the endstructure elements to collapse downwardly into a closed configuration.

[0008] Preferably, pivot connections are provided for the end structureelements at both the first and second ends of the structure.

[0009] Locking mechanisms may be provided to lock the end structureelements in their collapsed configuration.

[0010] In a preferred form of the invention the structure includestracks on which the wall defining portions of the structure elementsbear, in use.

[0011] The tracks preferably include rollers over which at least some ofthe wall defining portions of the structure elements move, in use.

[0012] In one form of the invention a motor is provided for extendingand retracting the structure elements. The motor is preferably remotelyoperable.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provideda structure element for an articulated structure as described above, thestructure element including a substantially rectangular sheet ofmaterial having connection formations for movably connecting thestructure element to a complementary structure element.

[0014] The sheet material may be a sheet metal, hard plastic, laminatedwood or any other suitable, permanent construction material.

[0015] This invention will now be described in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings in which

[0016]FIG. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of one embodiment of anarticulated structure according to the invention with the structureelements in their extended configuration;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a schematic, isometric view of the structure of FIG. 1with the structure elements in their retracted configuration; and

[0018]FIG. 3 is a schematic, side view of an alternative embodiment ofan articulated structure according to the invention with the structureelements in their extended configuration.

[0019] In FIG. 1, an articulated structure 10 is shown to comprise aplurality of rectangular, structure elements 12 which are movablyconnected to one another. In this drawing the structure elements 12 arein their extended configuration. Each structure element is movablyconnected with an adjacent member to define two side wall surfaces 14and a roof surface 16 as shown. The structure elements 12 which definethe roof surface 16 are connected to the operatively upper ends 12.1 ofthe structure elements 12 which define the wall surfaces 14. A first end18 includes an articulated roll door 20 located around a spindle 22which is mounted in a door housing 24.

[0020] In use, the structure 10 is mounted on tracks 26 (see FIG. 2)having rollers 27 on which the structure elements 12 bear when they areretracted, by way of an electric motor (not shown) in direction A andextended in direction B. When retracted, the structure elements 12 arein a compact, nested configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In thisembodiment, the second end 28 of the structure 10 is permanently closedoff with sheet material.

[0021] In order to extend the structure, the structure elements 12 aremoved in direction B along the tracks 26 until it is fully extended asshown in FIG. 1. The structure can be used as a car port, tool shed orthe like.

[0022] In FIG. 3 an alternative embodiment of an articulated structure30 according to the invention is shown to comprise a plurality ofdiscrete, movably connected structure elements 32 having operativelyupper ends 32.1 and operatively lower ends 32.2. First and second ends34 and 36 of the structure 30 respectively include end structureelements 34.1 and 36.1 which are pivotable about pivot connections 38and 40 located at the operatively lower ends 32.2 of the elements 34.1and 36.1 to allow the end structure elements to be collapsed downwardlyin direction A into a closed configuration as shown in the drawing. Midstructure elements 37 are provided between the end structure elements34.1 and 36.1.

[0023] In use, the end structure elements 34.1 and 36.1 may be moved indirection B to open the ends 34 and/or 36 of the structure. Lockingmechanisms (not shown) are provided to lock the end structure elements34.1 and 36.1 in their closed configuration as shown in the drawing.

[0024] The applicant believes that the invention as described withreference to the accompanying drawings has a space saving advantage inthat the structure may be used, for example as a car port, and when notin use, the structure elements may be moved into their retractedconfiguration, thereby freeing the space which a conventional carportwould normally occupy. The structure as a whole is furthermore portablewhen it is in its retracted configuration.

[0025] The applicant further believes that the nature of the structureas described is of a more secure and permanent nature than conventionalcarports which are constructed of a flexible material such as canvas.

[0026] The applicant believes that a modified version of the structureas described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 may be suitable as a canopyfor a vehicle.

1. An articulated structure which includes a plurality of discrete,movably connected structure elements which are moveable between anextended configuration wherein the elements define two spaced,substantially parallel wall surfaces having operatively upper and lowerends and a roof surface transversely oriented relative to the wallsurfaces, the structure elements each having a roof defining portion andtwo wall defining portions, the roof defining portion being connected tooperatively upper ends of the wall defining portions; and a retractedconfiguration wherein the elements are nested in a compactedconfiguration.
 2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 which includes afirst end and a second end, at least the first end having a closuremember.
 3. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein the closure memberis in the form of an articulated roll door.
 4. A structure as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the structure elements defining the wall surfacesinclude end structure elements and mid structure elements, the endstructure elements at at least the first or second ends of the structurebeing provided with pivot connections near the operatively lower ends,allowing the end structure elements to collapse downwardly into a closedconfiguration.
 5. A structure element as claimed in claim 4 wherein thepivot connections are provided for the end structure element at both thefirst and second ends of the structure.
 6. A structure as claimed inclaim 4 wherein locking mechanisms are provided to lock the endstructure element in their collapsed configuration.
 7. A structure asclaimed in claims 1 wherein the structure includes tracks on which thewall defining portions of the structure elements bear, in use.
 8. Astructure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the tracks include rollers overwhich at least some of the wall defining portions of the structureelements move, in use.
 9. A structure as claimed in claims 1 whichincludes a motor for extending and retracting the structure elements.10. A structure as claimed in claim 9 wherein the motor is remotelyoperable.
 11. A structure element for an articulated structure asclaimed in claims 1, which includes a substantially rectangular sheet ofmaterial having connection formations for movably connecting thestructure element to a complementary structure element.
 12. A structureelement as claimed in claim 11 wherein the sheet material is in the formof sheet metal.
 13. (Canceled)
 14. (Canceled)
 15. A structure as claimedin claim 5 wherein locking mechanisms are provided to lock the endstructure element in their collapsed configuration.